Live at the Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, Ca, Oct 12th, 1968 Kpfa - Fm Broadcast

There are already some good reviews of this show on here, and I agree with the tone of them. Anybody who thinks you can't bottle lightning would be well advised to grab a copy of this-incredible playing in great sound quality.One thing that hasn't been mentioned so much, is that this show is unique for the time, in that the band doesn't have anyone playing keyboards. Pigpen is missing, and Tom Constantin, who graced "Live Dead" didn't play his first show with the band until 23/11/68. Concerning Pigpen, both he and Bob Weir had apparently been sacked earlier in the month, in a misguided attempt to trim off the less proficient members of the band, who were seen as being an impediment to ongoing musical progress. Although they still played with The Dead during this time, the others, minus Kreutzman, played as Mickey and the Hartbeats. Their recordings are worth seeking out for historical interest, but they are no where near as powerful as the music played at this show. Which, in case it has got lost in my waffle, is highly recommended.

This is an excellent 1968 show by the Dead. Pigpen is missing here (perhaps still hurting from almost being thrown out of the band?) and therefore no extended Pigpen workouts like 'Good morning little schoolgirl' or 'Lovelight'. Which is fine by me, although I would have liked 'Alligator' and 'Caution'. But no matter: all tracks here are top class material.The first track 'Dark Star', which is usually my favourite go-to point in any show isn't really reaching great heights but the set only gets stronger after that. 'St Stephen' and 'The Eleven' have reached peak level already at this point in time and this is also true for the 'Anthem' material. I'd like to highlight one track in particular and that's 'Death don't have no mercy' which has Garcia on fire on both vocals and guitar. This has to be the best recording of this song by the Dead I've heard so far - there's real feeling here!A concise show containing great tracks only.

Great recording of the Dead at a musical peak, and according to legend, the night before Jimi Hendrix was in the audience but was not asked onstage. The Dead have been around so long, that it is a surprise to hear them playing the first side of Live Dead and of Anthem so fast. And ferociously. What a pleasure. I first saw them at Flushing Meadows, apparently never bootlegged. Can't remember a thing about the concert other than a powerful impression. This Avalon recording brings that back. The show starts with a young "Dark Star", glorious, visceral, full of energy, ideal for headphones and far from the more mature versions of 1969. In a cd sounding like a door opening to another world, Garcia's rapid-fire soloing, energetic unison vocals, and the joyous jam of "New Potato Caboose", picking the best needs thought...imo it is the jam following "New Potato".

Wonderful CD. Beautifully packaged, with an attractive collage of 1968 era photos of the band on the inside of the fold out digi pack. Sound is pretty much excellent throughout. A few unobtrusive glitches I detected in the left hand channel near the beginning, but, these may be a source problem, as it seems some percussion item is being adjusted in the mix at these points, but, that's a personal observation! 1968 Dead is my my favourite. Any Anthem era gig to me is top notch. Go get it!

The sound on this is high quality bootleg, and the music is a very good example of the Dead in 1968. Coming between "Two From The Vault" and "Live/Dead" chronologically this performance is perhaps not surprisingly a mix of the 2. Dark Star at 14.52 is shorter than the Live/Dead version but played at a faster tempo. The Anthem of the Sun tracks are close to Two From The Vault in sound. So this is definitely recommended if you are fan of 1960's Dead.

First off - do not be put off by thinking a recording from 1968 cannot sound good.This is a great recording, well balanced and does not suffer from radio announcers interruptions.A concise collection-effectively 2 sets each comprising tracks that segue. The CD has no room for any more music!

...of a fairly routine October '68 show at the Avalon. Nicely packaged too, in a gatefold sleeve. If you're a completist, or a fan of this period, well worth having.

I'm a long term Deadhead - and this is exactly why I love them - keep on jamming to the stars